[SOLVED] erasing back HHD with old OS on it.

[WolfandTheJoker]

I am looking to clean out one of my old HHD on my computer but it will not format because it detects an OS on it. That OS is no longer my primary ( I also think it is corrupted too) but I do not know how to go about erasing it. Anyone know any work arounds.

 

[alceryes]

Have you tried using diskpart?

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/diskpart

 

[popatim]

I'm assuming the drive is int he PC. Shut the PC off and disconnect the sata cable from it and see if you boot up now?
From your description - It sounds like you are really still booting up from this drive.

 

[USAFRet]

I am looking to clean out one of my old HHD on my computer but it will not format because it detects an OS on it. That OS is no longer my primary ( I also think it is corrupted too) but I do not know how to go about erasing it. Anyone know any work arounds.

Please show us a screencap of your current Disk Management window.

 

[WolfandTheJoker]

Please show us a screencap of your current Disk Management window.

https://ibb.co/5Yb3n4Q

Sorry best I could do. I am trying to format D drive which doesn't even have boot. But it isn't letting me and not stating reason why (incredibly unhelpful).

 

[USAFRet]

Gonna be honest have no idea how to do that on this site. Since it won't let you drag and drop the image into the text box.

Upload your pic to imgur.com. Post the link here.
(you don't have to make an account there)

 

[WolfandTheJoker]

Upload your pic to imgur.com. Post the link here.
(you don't have to make an account there)

https://imgur.com/xNiwEtg

View: https://imgur.com/xNiwEtg

 

[USAFRet]

Before deleting anything, we test.

Power off.
Disconnect everything but the C drive, Disk 1
Power up.
Does it boot correctly?

 

[WolfandTheJoker]

Before deleting anything, we test.

Power off.
Disconnect everything but the C drive, Disk 1
Power up.
Does it boot correctly?

So it seems my computer some how needs both hard drives to boot up properly. The one without the OS will ovbiously state that there is no OS on it if left in alone. The other one (the one I am trying to wipe) when disconnected says my PC/device needs repair. I will include a screen shot of that. It works fine when both are connected though. When both are connected it boots up just fine.

https://imgur.com/DvEuAqC

View: https://imgur.com/DvEuAqC

 

[USAFRet]

"both"
In your Disk Management window, there are 3 drives.
Disk 0, 1, 2.

Which "both" are we referring to?

 

[WolfandTheJoker]

"both"
In your Disk Management window, there are 3 drives.
Disk 0, 1, 2.

Which "both" are we referring to?

Yeah the 3rd one is a PCMIe (It's attached to the motherboard) so a bit harder to get at than the other 2. But if you think it will help I will disconnect that one too.

 

[alceryes]

Which disk do you want to format? The one you removed?
If yes, then you've got an issue because Windows see that as an essential disk.